TV distribution systems are an important part of the entertainment system on an offshore vessel, as well as supplying up-to-the-minute world news and information for the crew and passengers. They generate many positive results, including improved motivation and increased self-esteem of offshore personnel.

Entertainment systems incorporate the distribution of several TV channels, including open broadcast TV, Pay-TV line-ups, closed circuit TV (security cameras) and locally generated videos, reproduced by DVD and Blu-Ray sets. The heart of C.FOSTER’s entertainment solution is normally the SKY service, the most complete pay-TV service in Brazil, with the best programming and the best video quality in the market. HDTV sound and image quality are already available for many channels.

Entertainment systems can provide a diversified set of television channels to your crew, including news, sports, documentaries, TV series and movies.

How it works

Onboard entertainment systems have the flexibility of combining and distributing free-to-air TV signals, satellite TV, DVD, Blu-Ray, CCTV (Closed Circuit TV) and video generated locally by special application cameras and computers. Such signals can be received throughout the vessel by TV sets of varied sizes and specifications. Video signals from ROV’s operated from nearby vessels may also be transmitted by radio and combined in the TV signal line up.

The entertainment system is composed by the following main modules:

• Reception system:
  • VHF and/or UHF free-to-air television reception subsystem
  • C band free-to-air satellite television reception subsystem
  • Ku band encrypted pay-TV satellite reception subsystem
  • UHF reception subsystem for signals generated by service vessels (e.g. ROV)
• Local program generation equipment: DVD and Blu-Ray, cameras and computers
• Head-end system – Received and locally generated TV signals are modulated and combined in a unique line-up that is distributed throughout the vessel. The head-end system is composed of modulators, transcoders (to transcode signals received in foreign TV standards) and amplifiers, all mounted in professional racks
• TV distribution cabling from the head-end to the cabins and recreation rooms
• Television sets of diverse sizes and models and video projectors

Scope of a Standard Project

C.FOSTER supplies and installs entertainment systems in ships and platforms of varying sizes, meeting the highest quality standards required for this type of installation.

C.FOSTER counts on a highly skilled and trained technical team, composed of professionals with extensive experience with maritime and offshore customers, most of which have been trained abroad at our partner equipment and service vendors’ facilities.

Equipment and materials are supplied according to international norms and standards, including recommendations from ANATEL, IMO/SOLAS, Unit Classification Society, AIS, SSAS, ABS, DNV and others.

All materials and accessories are specified and assembled considering the hostile environmental characteristics of the offshore production environment. All installed systems are rigorously tested, with test instruments that are regularly calibrated according to applicable norms.

Project and installation activities typically include:

• System conception according to the needs of each customer
• Engineering design including plans and descriptive drawings
• Supply and delivery logistics according to the project schedule
• On-board Installation and commissioning
• “As built” documentation, including updated plans and drawings
• Training programs for customer personnel